League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Longford Town

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne go into this game against Longford Town buoyed up by an impressive pre-season which saw them take the scalps of Bohemians, St. Patrick’s Athletic, and Derry City and followed that up with their first competitive win by seeing off Wexford Youths 4-2 in the Leinster Senior Cup 2^nd Round last Friday night.

Friday night’s game will see the return of two ex-Shelbourne managers in Longford Town boss Alan Mathews and his assistant coach Kevin Doherty. Shels will be aiming to be in the shake up for promotion to the SSE Airtricity Premier Division but with only one spot up for grabs competition will be even stiffer.

Shelbourne have boosted their ranks with the return of experienced goalkeeper Dean Delany and Derek Prendergast and Jason Caffrey completing the trio that arrived from rivals Bohemians in the close season.

Shels boss Owen Heary is hoping to surprise a few people this season telling www.shelsfc.ie, “We’ve a tough opener against Longford. They’re tipped to win the league, and probably rightfully so – them and Waterford – but hopefully we’ll get in and surprise a few people along the way and stay in there and come the end of the season if we’re there with a shout then who knows!”

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town will make the trip to the capital for their opener against Shelbourne with coach Alan Mathews attempting to mastermind a victory over his former club. De Town are heavily tipped for the SSE Airtricity First Division title and solitary promotion place and know that nothing less than a positive result will suffice on Friday evening.

De Town’s form in pre-season was mixed with wins over Sligo Rovers (3-2) and Finn Harps (2-0) and defeats to Bray Wanderers (1-0), Bohemians (3-1), Dundalk (0-2), and St. Patrick’s Athletic (2-0).

There’s some added spice to the occasion with former Shels players Gavin Boyne and Jack Brady in the squad and has been further bolstered by Aidan Friel, Dylan McGlade, Stephen Walsh, Dean Zambra, Jake Kelly and Enda Curran.

Town boss Alan Mathews has a fully fit squad from which to select from going into the game at Tolka Park.

Referee: Andrew Mullally

MATCH FACTS

Shelbourne and Longford Town's last meeting was a 2-2 draw in a pre-season friendly in 2015 and their previous competitive match was a 0-0 draw at Tolka Park in the SSE Airtricity First Division in August 2014.

The sides have met on 41 occasions since 2000 with Shelbourne winning 26 times to Longford’s 6 with 9 draws. Shelbourne have scored 73 goals with Longford managing to find the net 38 times.

BETTING

Shelbourne 13/8 Draw 11/5 Longford Town 8/5

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-1 Longford Town

Shelbourne

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Longford Town

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None